Pliable spinning appendages and attachments for fishing lures

ABSTRACT

Soft or pliable spinning appendages can be attached to any fishing lure, hard or soft, using a swivel mechanism that provides unrestricted 360° rotation. The appendages increase attractiveness, flash, vibration, color, or scent. Due to their slow spinning speed and neutral buoyancy in water, the appendages provide unique properties to slow-moving lures not possible with prior art hard blades. A weedless swivel mechanism is also provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/692,923, filed on Jun. 22, 2005,the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In fishing, spinners and spinning lures are used to attract fish. Theyconsist of a lure with attached metal blades that spin about a wire axisor a 360° swivel. Blades are generally convex on one side and concave orflat on the other. Blades were originally known as “spinning spoons” andresemble a spoon shape attached to a swivel at one end. Blades arecommonly made of metal, but have been known to be made of hard plasticor even wood.

Conventional blades made of metal are generally used incontinuously-retrieved, relatively fast-moving lures such as in-line(Mepps-type) spinners, spinnerbaits, and the like. They are seldom usedon slower-moving or bottom bouncing lures such as Skirted “Flipping”Jigs, Texas-rigged plastic worms, tube lures (unless these soft luresare rigged as a trailer to a spinner or buzzer, intended to be more orless continuously retrieved) for several reasons. Conventional metalblades need constant forward reeling motion or a freefall weighted by alure much heavier than the metal blade, to spin freely, because they aregenerally much heavier than water. They require the bait to move forwardrelatively quickly. Therefore they do not work well with slow-movingbaits or lures that start and stop frequently.

Also, conventional metal blades are hard and rotate quickly. Theseblades are generally located in front of or away from the hook point,even when they adorn a soft swimming lure (such as the tiny propellersahead of a pre-rigged swimming plastic worm). Otherwise, fish would bestruck on the nose or mouth as they bite them and reject the bait, asoften happens with spinnerbaits.

A number of pliable lures that spin are known. In one example, surgicaltubing is trolled with a lead line on a swivel or behind a weight. Inanother example, a “balled up” plastic worm is rigged in such a manneras to put a bend in the worm by threading the plastic worm partially upthe bend of a hook. These worm rigs spin in the water and are usuallytrolled or cast with a swivel connecting the lure to the fishing line.U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,540 discloses a three-bladed pliable propeller thatspins on its axis and is connected to the fishing line with a swivel.

These spinning lures are disadvantageous in that the entire lure spins.This can lead to line twist, because there is no portion of the lureattached to the line that does not spin. The “non-spinning” portion ofthe fishing rig is not the lure itself, but a sinker or swivel of somesort, which is often not enough to stop the line from twisting. Also,spinning lures can easily foul in weeds, because the leading portion ofthe lure instantly picks up weeds and spins them around its axis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides soft or pliable spinning appendages forfishing lures whether they are hard or soft bodied. The appendages canbe attached to any fishing lure, hard or soft, using a variety of swivelmechanisms. The appendages can take a variety of configurations and mayinclude a weedless connecting portion. They can increase attractiveness,flash, vibration, color, or scent, depending on the type of appendage.Due to their slow spinning speed and (near) neutral buoyancy in water,the pliable appendages provide unique properties to slow-moving luresnot possible with prior art hard blades. Also, a weedless swivelmechanism is provided.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more fully understood from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a lure assembly incorporating apliable appendage according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the lure assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a further embodiment of lureassembly incorporating a pliable appendage;

FIG. 4A is a plan view of a pliable appendage have a bladeconfiguration;

FIG. 4B is a side view of the appendage of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a plan view of a pliable appendage have a blade configurationand a connecting portion for a swivel mechanism;

FIG. 5B is a side view of the appendage of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a side view of a concave blade pliable appendage;

FIG. 6B is a side view of the appendage of FIG. 5A having a connectionportion;

FIG. 7A is a side view of a blade pliable appendage having a connectingportion at an angle;

FIG. 7B is a side of a concave blade pliable appendage having aconnecting portion at an angle;

FIG. 8A illustrates a buzzer appendage;

FIG. 8B illustrates a two-bladed buzzer appendage having a connectingportion;

FIG. 8C illustrates a buzzbait blade configuration appendage having aconnecting portion;

FIG. 8D illustrates a four-bladed propeller configuration appendage;

FIG. 9A is a side view of a swimbait-style tail appendage having aconnecting portion;

FIG. 9B is a plan view of the appendage of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10A is a plan view of a sickle configuration appendage having aconnecting portion at an angle;

FIG. 10B is a side view of the appendage of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10C is a plan view of a sickle configuration appendage having anin-plane connecting portion;

FIG. 11A illustrates a crawfish claw style appendage with an in-planeconnecting portion;

FIG. 11B illustrates a crawfish claw style appendage with an angledconnecting portion;

FIG. 12 illustrates a helical appendage;

FIG. 13A illustrates a curved worm tail appendage;

FIG. 13B illustrates multiple in-line spinning appendages to provide aworm- or snake-like appearance;

FIG. 13C illustrates a further arrangement of multiple spinningappendages;

FIG. 14A illustrates a frog or lizard foot appendage;

FIG. 14B illustrates a frog or lizard foot appendage with an angledconnecting portion;

FIG. 15 illustrate a screw-like appendage;

FIG. 16 illustrates a soft worm lure with hook and a curved spinningtail appendage;

FIG. 17 illustrates a soft worm lure with hook and spinning buzzer tailappendage;

FIG. 18 illustrates a soft worm lure with hook and blade appendage;

FIG. 19 illustrates a lizard lure with spinning feet and tailappendages;

FIG. 20 illustrates a frog lure with legs having spinning feetappendages;

FIG. 21 illustrates a crawfish lure having spinning claw appendagesattached to arms;

FIG. 22 illustrates a fish or swimbait minnow having a spinning tailappendage;

FIG. 23 illustrates a pork chunk lure with trailing appendage;

FIG. 24 illustrates a spinning appendage retained on a fishing line;

FIG. 25 illustrates a soft worm lure with rotating tail blade appendage;

FIG. 26 illustrates a jig and appendage with a Texas-rigged hook;

FIG. 27 illustrates a spinnerbait with three types of appendages havingembedded hooks;

FIG. 28 illustrates a crank bait having a trailing appendage with treblehook;

FIG. 29 illustrates a plug or crank bait having a trailing appendage andfin appendage;

FIG. 30 illustrates a soft worm with trailing curved tail appendage withembedded hook;

FIG. 31 illustrates a spinnerbait with a spinning appendage;

FIG. 32 illustrates a jig with a trailing spinning appendage;

FIG. 33 illustrates a topwater lure with a trailing appendage;

FIG. 34 illustrates a plug or shallow running jerkbait having a pliablespinning appendage rear portion;

FIG. 35 illustrates a blade appendage with an insert;

FIG. 36 illustrates a blade appendage with an inserted weight;

FIG. 37 illustrates a blade appendage with an inserted wire;

FIG. 38 illustrates a swivel mechanism according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 39 illustrates a soft lure having a recess for the swivel mechanismof FIG. 38;

FIG. 40 is a further embodiment of a swivel mechanism having a clip onone end;

FIG. 41 is a further embodiment of a swivel mechanism having analligator clip on one end;

FIG. 42 is a further embodiment of a swivel mechanism having a screw onone end;

FIG. 43 is a further embodiment of a swivel mechanism having a hole onone end;

FIG. 44 illustrates the swivel mechanism of FIG. 43 on a hook;

FIG. 45 is a further embodiment of a swivel mechanism having clips for alure and an appendage;

FIG. 46 is a further embodiment of a swivel mechanism having clips for alure and an appendage;

FIG. 47 is a further embodiment of a swivel mechanism having hooks for alure and an appendage;

FIG. 48 is a further embodiment of a swivel mechanism having hooks for alure and an appendage;

FIG. 49 is a further embodiment of a swivel mechanism having a hook andan eye on opposite ends;

FIG. 50 is a further embodiment of a swivel mechanism having a hook anda clip on opposite ends;

FIG. 51 is a further embodiment of a swivel mechanism having a hook andan alligator clip on opposite ends;

FIG. 52 is a further embodiment of a swivel mechanism having clips onopposite ends;

FIG. 53 is a further embodiment of a swivel mechanism having clips onopposite ends;

FIG. 54 is a further embodiment having an appendage attached with aclevis; and

FIG. 55 is a further embodiment with a thin flexible appendage acting asa swivel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pliable or soft spinning appendagesthat can be affixed to soft lures or hard lures for fishing. Suchappendages can take many configurations, including spinners, buzzers orpropellers, spinning tails, curved appendages, or any configuration thatcontinuously spins upon lure movement through the water.

In a first embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a fishing lureassembly 10 includes a soft plastic lure 12, in the form of a worm withan embedded hook 14, and a soft or pliable spinning appendage 16. In theembodiment shown, the appendage is in the form of a blade. The pliableblade is attached to one end of the lure with a swivel mechanism 18 thatallows unrestricted 360° rotation (discussed further below). The eye 20of the hook protrudes from the other end of the lure for non-spinningattachment of the fishing line. FIG. 3 illustrates a similar embodimentin which the swivel mechanism 18′ includes an offset and the hook isweighted with a weight 22, reducing the tendency of the lure to spin.Soft blades used as a trailer behind a lure or hook are advantageous,because fish will bite them and hang on, just as they bite a plasticworm and hold on until the angler can set the hook.

The soft, non-rigid material from which the pliable appendage is formedshould be soft or thin enough to be compressible and deformable by thejaws of a fish or between two fingers of any average human hand.Suitable materials may include a plastisol, such as vinyl plastisol,cyberflex, or a pliable foam. Other materials can be used, such as asuitably shaped soft pork rind, fabric, a synthetic material such asTYVEK®, or any other material soft or thin enough to be suitablycompressible and deformable.

The soft or pliable spinning appendages of the present invention areadvantageous for a number of reasons. Soft appendages are generallyneutrally buoyant (meaning little or no positive or negative in waterbuoyancy) in the water, and not substantially-heavier-than-water likeconventional metal blades. Therefore soft appendages start spinning moreeasily and at slower speeds than a similar hard spinner blade which needto overcome their own in water weight and inertia. The appendages of thepresent invention naturally adapt to a slow start/stop retrieve as wellas a first retrieve, making them useable on a much wider variety oflures than hard blades. A neutrally buoyant spinning appendage can spinat extremely slow speeds, such as during the freefall of a slowlysinking plastic worm weighted only by a hook. This type of slow speedmotion has not been possible by a spinning blade. The invention createssignificant motion that even a “curly tail” soft plastic lure cannotemulate. Curly tail lures must fall or be retrieved at a faster speed tomake the tail wiggle.

The soft pliable appendages give slow moving lures such as plastic wormsmuch more action, flash and vibration than presently available. Forexample, a rotating tail gives much more motion, eccentricity andvibration when compared to present curly-tail worms or minnow-typewiggling tails. A spinning tail continuously rotates 360° on retrieve oron the drop, flutters when stopped and moves completely freely, yieldinga new type of action. Currently available tails and appendages cannotcontinuously traverse a 360° arc, but merely flap back and forthgenerally no more than 180°. When retrieved, a soft appendage shakes aworm or jig due to the spinning inertia of the rotating mass of theappendage, giving additional uncommon action. Such violent motionactivates rattles during the retrieve, which is currently difficult, ifnot impossible with conventional soft plastic tails.

The forward, non-spinning portion of the lure assembly can deflect weedsand obstructions. By not spinning, the forward portion of the lureassembly does not accumulate weeds, but rather slides over weeds andacts as an “ice breaker.” When the spinning appendage follows alongbehind the forward portion of the lure assembly, the weeds have alreadybeen mostly spread or deflected, allowing the aft appendage to continuespinning freely.

Because they can work with slower moving lures such as a jig, the softappendages give the jig new properties similar to having two lures inone. The jig can be used as a spinnerbait to buzz over the tops of weedsand then can be used as a jig on the same cast when it approaches adowned tree. A weedless jig with a soft spinner trailer can be droppedinto a sunken tree, worked slowly, and then retrieved out of it quicklylike a spinnerbait. In contrast, with prior art lures, often twoseparate lures must be used to fish such as area: a jig to fish the treeand a spinnerbait to fish around the general area to cover surroundingweeds.

A non-spinning forward lure or lure portion that is soft plastic (suchas a plastic worm) or hard (such as a jig) allows the hook to stay inthe optimal place for hooking a fish and not spinning 360° every fewseconds. Although it is possible to hook a fish on a spinning hook, itis not optimal. The hook should remain as upright as possible foroptimum hooking potential at all times, which is possible with thepresent invention.

A variety of configurations for the pliable appendage is contemplated bythe present invention. For example, FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate theappendage 16, which has a traditional blade configuration. FIGS. 5A and5B illustrate an appendage 16′ having a blade configuration including aweedless extension or connecting portion 17 into which the swivelmechanism can be embedded (described further below). As shown in FIGS.6A and 6B, the blades 16″ can include a concave side 19. The connectingportion 17′ can be angled, for example 90°, to the body of the blade, asshown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, if desired to offset the appendage from theplane of the swivel, thereby maximizing the force of water on the bladeto increase spinning speed.

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate buzzer or bladed spinning appendages. Atwo-bladed buzzer appendage 32 having a connecting portion 34 for theswivel mechanism is shown FIG. 8B. FIG. 8C shows a buzzbait bladeconfiguration 36 with a connecting portion 37 for the swivel mechanism.FIG. 8D, shows a four-bladed propeller style appendage 38. A minnow orswimbait-style tail spinning appendage 70 is illustrated in FIGS. 9A and9B.

Sickle-type spinning appendages 74 are shown in FIGS. 10A-10C. Aconnecting portion 76, 76′ may be provided, either at an angle to theplane of the sickle blade (76) or in the plane of the sickle blade (76′)pointing in the direction of travel of the lure.

For many lure presentations, the angler does not want the lure to spinin its entirety, just those appendages that give it lifelike action.This is especially true with the ultra-slow presentations that can beachieved with soft, zero-buoyancy blades. For example, a soft plasticcrawfish imitation should not spin on its axis unnaturally. The claws orappendages, however, should have motion, while the body remainsstationary and looks natural under water.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a crawfish claw style appendage 78. Asnoted above, the connecting portion 79, 79′ may be in plane or out ofplane with the body of the appendage. A helical spinning appendage 82 isillustrated in FIG. 12. A slightly curved worm tail 84 is shown in FIG.13A. FIG. 13B illustrates multiple in-line spinning appendages 84′. Eachappendage spins freely, giving a realistic (life like) worm- orsnake-like appearance to the lure assembly. FIG. 13C illustrates afurther arrangement or variation of multiple spinning appendages 84″.FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate appendages configured as frog feet 86 orlizard feet 88. A screw-like form 90 is illustrated in FIG. 15.

A soft worm lure 94 with hook 96 is illustrated with a curved spinningtail appendage 98, shown in FIG. 16. When pulled on the surface of thewater, the spinning tail creates a splash. FIG. 17 illustrates a softworm lure 102 with embedded hook 104 and pliable spinning buzzer tailappendage 106. FIG. 18 is similar with a blade appendage 108.

FIG. 19 illustrates a lizard lure 112 with four spinning feet appendages114 and/or a spinning tail appendage 116. FIG. 20 illustrates a froglure 118 with legs 120 having spinning feet appendages 122. Pulling thefrog lure along the water surface spins the feet appendages and extendsthe legs, which recoil. FIG. 21 illustrates a crawfish lure 126 havingspinning claw appendages 128 attached to arms 130. The claws spin andthe arms deflect and then retract upon pulling and stopping the line.FIG. 22 illustrates a fish or swimbait minnow 132 having a spinning tailappendage 134 that spins when the fish is pulled through the water. FIG.23 illustrates a pork chunk 136 or other soft lure or trailer to anotherlure having a pliable spinning appendage 138 according to the presentinvention.

In FIG. 24, a pliable spinning appendage 142 is retained on the fishingline 144. The appendage is spaced from the lure 146, which may be hardor soft, by beads 148 that provide spacing between the spinningappendage and the non-spinning lure. The appendage spins ahead of thelure to attract fish. The line serves as the spinner shaft.

FIG. 25 illustrates an embodiment in which a pliable appendage 152 formsa rotating tail blade for a lure 154 configured as a soft worm. Theappendage rotates about a narrow rear shaft portion 156 of the lure. Astop element 158 of plastic or other material on the end of the lureprevents the appendage from parting from the shaft portion of the lureabout which it spins. The shaft portion may be made of a plastic orother material.

Soft appendages can be Texas-rigged weedless so that a hook can beaffixed to the appendage itself. The ability to have a hook on theattractive element of the lure itself is a great advantage to theangler. Fish that actually strike the appendage can now be hooked andcaught. In contrast, fish often strike conventional blades, but are notcaught. Fish can even be spooked by the hardness and impact of a metalblade.

FIG. 26 illustrates a jig 162 with a Texas-rigged hook 164 in which thehook point is buried in the appendage 166. FIG. 27 illustratesspinnerbait 172 with three types of appendages having embedded hooks.The appendage 174 is attached with any suitable swivel mechanism 176 andincludes a weedless hook 178. The appendage 182 includes a Texas-riggedhook 184 and is mounted in-line with a clevis 186. The appendage 188trails a lure 192 from any suitable swivel mechanism 194 and includes aTexas-rigged hook 196.

In other embodiments, FIG. 28 illustrates a crank bait 202 having atrailing pliable appendage 204 with an embedded treble hook 206. FIG. 29illustrates a plug or crank bait 210 having a trailing pliable spinningappendage 212 and a curved spinning appendage 214 that acts as a fin orwing. FIG. 30 illustrates a plastic worm 218 with embedded hook 220 anda trailing curved tail spinning appendage 222, also having an embeddedhook 224. An interior line 226 or exterior line 226′ connected to thefirst hook 220 allows a fish to be caught on the tail hook 224.

FIG. 31 illustrates a spinnerbait 230 with a pliable spinning appendage232 and a skirt 234 and weighted head 236. FIG. 32 illustrates a jig 242with a trailing spinning appendage 244 attached with any suitable swivelmechanism 246 to a weighted jighead with skirt. FIG. 33 illustrates atopwater lure 252 having a curved tail spinning appendage 254 attachedwith any suitable swivel mechanism 256 to a non-spinning lure body 258.As the tail spins, it creates a topwater commotion like a snake or fish.FIG. 34 illustrates a plug or shallow running jerkbait 262 in which therear portion 264 is a pliable spinning appendage and the front portionis a hard body 266. The front portion of the lure provides stability anddirection as well as diving ability with the forward lip.

Inserts 270, 276 of metal, weights, or reflective foil can beinsert-molded in vinyl plastisol-injected appendages 272 for extra flashor weight. See FIGS. 35 and 36. Reflective or holographic inserts candecorate the appendage for increased flash or color in the water. Byadding weight or metal to the appendage, the spinning inertia can beincreased to “shake” the lure more violently than a simple soft vinylblade. An insert-molded metal appendage sealed with an vinyl plastisolcovering can retain the fish-attracting properties of a soft appendage,while mitigating the hard, fish-repelling feel of a convention spinningmetal blade, should a fish strike the appendage. A wire 278 can beinsert molded or impaled into an appendage to use as an attaching pointto a swivel, or for structural uses such as bending to give theappendage unique or unusual characteristics. See FIG. 37.

Soft appendages can be impregnated with salt or other scents. Inaddition, the rotating motion disperses the scents much more quicklythan a lure body of a soft plastic lure moving through the water. Theappendage disperses the scent centrifugally and presses the scent out ofthe plastic. The appendage also traverses much more water than thelinear retrieve distance of a lure because it spins. With each rotationof the appendage, it traverses much more water than the distance it isretrieved, therefore increasing the water flow past thescent-impregnated plastic, increasing the dispersion gradient.

A variety of swivel mechanisms can be employed with the pliableappendages of the present invention. Preferably, the swivel mechanismspins freely and is loose enough to quickly point the spinning objectinto the flow of the water.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the swivel mechanism 18 comprises ashaft 24 having a barbed element(s) 26 embedded in the lure 12 andanother shaft 28 with barbed element(s) 30 embedded in the blade 16. Thelure shaft has a widened portion or head 32 at or near the end thatprotrudes from the lure, and the blade shaft has an eye 34 at the endthat protrudes from the blade. The eye is retained on the lure shaft bythe head. In this manner, the eye can freely rotate 360° about theshaft, allowing the blade to spin with respect to the lure.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a swivel mechanism 18′ in whichthe blade shaft 28′ is bent so that the shaft includes a shaft portionembedded in the blade and offset from the axis of the lure shaft. Thisswivel mechanism reduces the tendency of the lure to spin. FIG. 3 alsoillustrates a weight 22 on the hook 14 with is offset from the lurebody, also reducing the tendency of the lure to spin.

FIG. 38 illustrates another embodiment of a swivel mechanism 40 thatemploys a modified Crane swivel. This swivel mechanism includes a hollowbarrel 42 with a narrowed opening on one end. A shaft 44 with a barbedelement(s) 46 extends from the barrel to be embedded in the non-spinninglure 48. The lure is preferably a soft plastic for easy anchoring. Aspinning shaft or stem 50 protrudes through the open end of the barrel.The head 52 of the shaft within the barrel is enlarged or expanded, suchas by crimping, sufficiently to retain the head within the barrel whileallowing 360° rotation of the shaft about its axis. In anotherembodiment, the head can be replaced with a conventional ball bearingassembly as in traditional (commonly called Sampo) ball bearing swivels.The shaft has a barbed element(s) 54 on its opposite end to be embeddedin the pliable spinning appendage 56. The spinning appendage may includea connecting portion 58 shaped, for example, like a rod or pipe. Thisconnecting portion is smaller in diameter than the adjacent portion ofthe lure and/or the leading portion of the swivel mechanism. The shaftsand barbed element(s) may be formed of any suitable material, such as ametal or plastic material or combination thereof. Plastic materials,such as nylon or PTFE (such as TEFLON®), can be formed with very lowcoefficients of friction, especially when submerged in water. A thinmetal shaft, for example, between 0.005 and 0.1 inch, with a plastic ormetal head is suitable and has been found to spin freely.Metal-on-slippery plastic spins well and adds little mass, which allowsthe neutrally buoyant or zero gravity blade to spin at the slightestwater flow.

By anchoring the leading end of the swivel mechanism in the non-spinninglure 48, the spinning portion of the swivel mechanism is hidden fromweeds or other elements that might otherwise catch in the spinningportion. When traveling through the water, the weeds are moved out ofthe way by the non-spinning lure, like an “ice breaker” travelingthrough ice. If a weed slides off the lure onto the spinning shaft (orthe connecting portion of the pliable appendage) the weed has alreadypassed the actual hidden hard portion of the spinning shaft and maytouch the soft appendage or its connecting portion. Therefore, weeds andobstructions are not forced into the spinning shaft where it connects tothe swivel, as in traditional lures, since it is pointing away from thewater flow at all times and is hidden by the leading edge of the lure.Weeds may touch the lure and may be deflected onto the spinningattachment, but the blade or appendage is pliable and does not trapweeds with hard edges. Weeds more readily slide off the pliable slipperyplastic or may easily by removed by a quick pull of the line.

The soft lure 48 is preferably formed with a recessed region 60 toaccept the insertion of the swivel mechanism, as also shown in FIG. 39.This recessed region protects the swivel mechanism by being wider thanthe spinning shaft and deflecting weeds before they come in contact withthe spinning shaft. This region may optionally incorporate a soft flangearound the opening to further assist in weed deflection. Also, insertionof the swivel mechanism into this recess does not deflect or distort theplastic of the lure.

The lure assembly should be sufficiently loosely configured that thespinning appendage quickly points into the flow of the water. In priorart metal Crane swivel mechanisms and ball bearing swivels, suchlooseness is achieved with small rings loosely attached to eyes of theswivel so that the swivel easily follows the direction of line pullthrough the water. In the present invention, the lure 48 and theappendage 56 can be formed with flexible portions that providesufficient flexibility while removing this function from the swivelinghardware. The flexible portions deflect and point the swivel and thespinning blade into the water flow. In the embodiment illustrated, theflexible portion in the lure 48 is formed as a thinner or weakenedregion 62. This flexible region makes the tail orientation moresusceptible to immediate changes in the direction of water flow,allowing the tail to turn quickly in the proper direction. The flexibleregion also adds a wiggling motion to the tail of the lure, leading to amore exaggerated wiggling motion when combined with the spinning of theappendage. The connecting portion 58 of the appendage can be formed tobe a flexible portion.

In other embodiments, the swivel mechanism can be attached to a hardlure. In this case, the leading edge of the swivel mechanism can includea loose attachment to the lure, such as with a clip 302, 304 (FIGS. 40and 41) or a screw 306 (FIG. 42), to provide the desired flexibility. InFIGS. 43 and 44, the swivel mechanism 308 has a hole 310 therethroughthat slips over a hook 312 of a jig. The swivel is loosely connected tothe jig and is retained on the hook by a plastic retainer 314 whichstops the collar of the swivel from slipping back over the barb of thehook and becoming lost.

Other swivel mechanisms with a variety of fastener mechanisms can beused. FIGS. 45 and 46 illustrate a swivel mechanism 320 incorporating aCrane swivel 322 with eyes 324 protruding from a central barrel 326.Clips 328, 330 on the eyes are insertable into a pliable spinningappendage and a soft non-spinning lure. FIGS. 47 and 48 illustrate aCrane swivel 322 with hooks 332 that attach to or insert into theappendage and lure. These clips and hooks are suitable for attaching asoft appendage to a soft lure or hard lure.

FIG. 49 illustrates a Crane swivel 322 with a hook 334 on one eye forattachment to a spinning appendage. The opposite eye 336 attaches to aconventional fish hook or jig. In FIG. 50, a clip 338 is provided forattachment to a lure. FIG. 51 illustrates an alligator clip 342 forattachment to a lure. In FIG. 52, a clip 338 is provided for attachmentto the appendage and another clip 338 for attachment to the lure. InFIG. 53, the swivel mechanism incorporates two alligator clips 342. Aclevis attachment 346 is illustrated in FIG. 54 to attach a pliablespinning appendage 348 to a conventional in-line spinner 352.

In a further aspect of the invention, soft blades can have no swivel toachieve a 360 degree spinning axis as shown in FIG. 55. The spinningblade 380 can be attached to a hard or soft lure 382 by a relativelythin elongated portion 384 of plastic or pliable material as a strip orfilament. Such soft blades can spin several dozen times before theconnecting plastic material winds up like a rubber band on a toyairplane. Once the lure stops, the material unwinds, ready to be woundup again. A no-swivel spinning blade is especially useful as part of aplastic worm tail, or a trailer to a stop-and-start lure like a jig. Theunwinding action between lure motions, while the lure is stationary, hasattractive qualities to fish of its own, simulating movement while thelure is temporarily stopped. Such an attachment may be used as theswivel in many of the above embodiments.

The invention is not to be limited by what has been particularly shownand described, except as indicated by the appended claims.

1. A fishing lure assembly comprising: a fishing lure attachable to afishing line with no spinning with respect to the fishing line; apliable appendage; and a swivel mechanism spinnably attaching thepliable appendage to the lure.
 2. The fishing lure assembly of claims 1or 62, wherein the pliable appendage is comprised of a material that iscompressible and deformable by the jaws of a fish.
 3. The fishing lureassembly of claims 1 or 62, wherein the pliable appendage is comprisedof a material that is compressible and deformable between two fingers ofan average human hand.
 4. The fishing lure assembly of claims 1 or 62,wherein the pliable appendage is comprised of a plastisol, cyberflex,foam, or pork rind.
 5. The fishing lure assembly of claims 1 or 62,wherein the pliable appendage is at least close to neutrally buoyant inwater.
 6. The fishing lure assembly of claims 1 or 62, furthercomprising an insert disposed within the pliable appendage.
 7. Thefishing lure assembly of claim 7, wherein the insert comprises areflective insert, a holographic insert, a weight, or a wire.
 8. Thefishing lure assembly of claims 1 or 62, wherein the pliable appendageincludes a scent.
 9. The fishing lure assembly of claims 1 or 62,wherein the pliable appendage has a bladed configuration.
 10. Thefishing lure assembly of claim 9, wherein the bladed configurationcomprises a blade having a convex side and a flat side, a blade having aconvex side and a concave side, multiple blades, a buzzer configuration,or a buzzbait configuration.
 11. The fishing lure assembly of claims 1or 62, wherein the pliable appendage has a minnow configuration, aswimbait configuration, or a worm configuration.
 12. The fishing lureassembly of claims 1 or 62, wherein the pliable appendage has a sickleconfiguration, a screw configuration, or a helical configuration. 13.The fishing lure assembly of claims 1 or 62, wherein the pliableappendage has a claw configuration, a foot configuration, or a tailconfiguration.
 14. The fishing lure assembly of claims 1 or 62, whereinthe fishing lure comprises a soft lure.
 15. The fishing lure assembly ofclaims 1 or 62, wherein the fishing lure comprises a hard lure.
 16. Thefishing lure assembly of claims 1 or 62, wherein the fishing lurecomprises a fish, crankbait, lizard, frog, or crawfish, and the pliableappendage comprises a limb or tail of the fish, crankbait, lizard, frog,or crawfish.
 17. The fishing lure assembly of claim 1, wherein theswivel mechanism provides rotation of the pliable appendage in line withthe fishing lure.
 18. The fishing lure assembly of claim 1, wherein theswivel mechanism provides rotation of the pliable appendage out of planewith the fishing lure.
 19. The fishing lure assembly of claim 1, whereinthe swivel mechanism provides rotation of the pliable appendage offsetfrom the fishing lure.
 20. The fishing lure assembly of claim 1, whereinthe pliable appendage is mounted by the swivel mechanism to rotate abouta tail portion or nose portion of the fishing lure.
 21. The fishing lureassembly of claim 1, wherein the pliable appendage includes a connectingportion to which the swivel mechanism is attached.
 22. The fishing lureassembly of claim 21, wherein the connecting portion comprises acylinder or pipe.
 23. The fishing lure assembly of claims 1 or 62,further comprising a hook embedded within the pliable appendage.
 24. Thefishing lure assembly of claims 1 or 62, wherein the fishing lurecomprises a jig including a hook, and the pliable appendage is mountedby the swivel mechanism to the hook.
 25. The fishing lure assembly ofclaims 1 or 62, wherein the pliable appendage trails the fishing lure.26. The fishing lure assembly of claim 25, wherein the fishing lurediverts objects from tangling in the swivel mechanism.
 27. The fishinglure assembly of claims 1 or 62, wherein the pliable appendage ismounted in advance of the fishing lure.
 28. The fishing lure assembly ofclaims 1 or 62, further comprising a spinnerbait, the pliable appendagemounted to the spinnerbait.
 29. The fishing lure assembly of claims 1 or62, further comprising additional pliable appendages spinnably attachedto the fishing lure or the pliable appendage.
 30. The fishing lureassembly of claim 1, wherein the swivel mechanism provides unrestricted360° rotation of the pliable appendage with respect to the fishing lure.31. The fishing lure assembly of claim 1, wherein the swivel mechanismcomprises: a hollow barrel element having an opening on one end and afastening element on an opposite end, the fastening element fastened tothe fishing lure; and a shaft extending through the opening in thebarrel element, a head on one end of the shaft retained within thebarrel element, the shaft rotatable with respect to the barrel element,and a barbed element on the opposite end of the shaft, the barbedelement inserted into the pliable appendage.
 32. The fishing lureassembly of claim 31, wherein the shaft is comprised of a metal or aplastic material, and the head is comprised of a metal or a plasticmaterial.
 33. The fishing lure assembly of claim 31, wherein the shaftis attached to a connecting portion of the pliable appendage.
 34. Thefishing lure assembly of claim 33, wherein the connecting portion ismore flexible than a remainder of the pliable appendage.
 35. The fishinglure assembly of claim 31, wherein the fastening element of the barrelelement comprises a barbed element inserted into the fishing lure. 36.The fishing lure assembly of claim 31, wherein the fastening element ofthe barrel element comprises an opening insertable over a hook of thefishing lure.
 37. The fishing lure assembly of claim 31, wherein thefastening element of the barrel element comprises a clip or a screw. 38.The fishing lure assembly of claim 31, wherein the fishing lurecomprises a soft material having a recess at one end, the barrel elementdisposed within the recess.
 39. The fishing lure assembly of claim 31,wherein the fishing lure comprises a soft material having a narrowedportion, wherein the narrowed portion provides additional flexibility ofthe fishing lure.
 40. The fishing lure assembly of claim 31, wherein theswivel mechanism comprises a swivel of a Crane or a ball bearing typecomprising a barrel element and eyes rotatably mounted to the barrelelement on opposite ends thereof, a fastening element attached to eacheye.
 41. The fishing lure assembly of claim 40, wherein the fasteningelement comprises a clip or a hook.
 42. The fishing lure assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the swivel mechanism comprises a first shaft extendingfrom the fishing lure, and a second shaft extending from the pliableappendage, an eye on an end of the second shaft rotatably retained onthe first shaft.
 43. A fishing lure assembly comprising: a fishing lureattachable to a fishing line; and a pliable appendage attached to thefishing line or the fishing lure in advance of the fishing lure, thepliable appendage freely rotatable 360°, the pliable appendage comprisedof a material that is compressible and deformable by the jaws of a fish.44. The fishing lure assembly of claim 43, wherein the pliable appendageis comprised of a material that is observably compressible anddeformable between two fingers of an average human hand.
 45. The fishinglure assembly of claim 43, wherein the pliable appendage is comprised ofa plastisol, cyberflex, foam, or pork rind.
 46. The fishing lureassembly of claim 43, wherein the pliable appendage is at least close toneutrally buoyant in water.
 47. The fishing lure assembly of claim 43,wherein the pliable appendage is attached with a clevis attachmentmechanism.
 48. The fishing lure assembly of claim 43, wherein thepliable appendage is spaced from the fishing lure on the fishing line.49. A swivel mechanism for a fishing lure assembly comprising: a hollowbarrel element having an opening on one end and a barbed element on anopposite end, the barbed element insertable into a soft fishing lure;and a shaft extending through the opening in the barrel element, a headon one end of the shaft retained within the barrel element, and a barbedelement on the opposite end of the shaft, the shaft rotatable withrespect to the barrel element, and a barbed element on the opposite endof the shaft, the barbed element insertable into the pliable appendage.50. The swivel mechanism of claim 49, wherein the shaft is comprised ofa metal or a plastic material, and the head is comprised of a metal or aplastic material.
 51. A pliable appendage for a fishing lure comprising:an appendage comprised of a pliable material that is compressible anddeformable by the jaws of a fish, and a swivel mechanism attached to theappendage.
 52. The pliable appendage of claim 51, wherein the pliableappendage is comprised of a plastisol, cyberflex, foam, or pork rind.53. The pliable appendage of claim 51, wherein the pliable appendage isneutrally buoyant in water.
 54. The pliable appendage of claim 51,further comprising an insert disposed within the pliable appendage. 55.The pliable appendage of claim 51, wherein the insert comprises areflective insert, a holographic insert, a weight, or a wire.
 56. Thepliable appendage of claim 51, wherein the pliable appendage includes ascent.
 57. The pliable appendage of claim 51, wherein the pliableappendage has a bladed configuration.
 58. The pliable appendage of claim57, wherein the bladed configuration comprises a blade having a convexside and a flat side, a blade having a convex side and a concave side,multiple blades, a buzzer configuration, or a buzzbait configuration.59. The pliable appendage of claim 51, wherein the pliable appendage hasa minnow configuration, a swimbait configuration, or a wormconfiguration.
 60. The pliable appendage of claim 51, wherein thepliable appendage has a sickle configuration, a screw configuration, ora helical configuration.
 61. The pliable appendage of claim 51, whereinthe pliable appendage has a claw configuration, a foot configuration, ora tail configuration.
 62. A fishing lure assembly comprising: a fishinglure attachable to a fishing line with no spinning attribute withrespect to the fishing line; a pliable appendage; a length of flexiblematerial connecting said lure to said appendage whereby said appendagespins with said lure in motion, twisting said length of material andwith said lure ceasing or reducing motion, the appendage spins in adirection to untwist said length of material.